Why Trauma and Sleep Problems Often Go Together

Sleep requires a certain amount of letting go. Trauma can make letting go feel unsafe. Someone may be exhausted all day and still become alert the moment the lights go out.

Nightmares, intrusive memories, racing thoughts, checking behaviors, waking at small noises, or feeling vulnerable while asleep can all make rest difficult.

Poor sleep can make everything else worse

When sleep suffers, patience gets shorter, concentration drops, emotions become harder to regulate, and anxiety can increase. That can create a cycle where trauma symptoms interfere with sleep and poor sleep makes trauma symptoms harder to manage.

Alcohol or other substances may seem to help someone fall asleep but can create additional problems with sleep quality and recovery.

Treatment can start with sleep

Trauma therapy does not always begin by talking about the traumatic event in detail. Sometimes the first useful target is sleep, nighttime routines, avoidance, or the nervous system’s response to feeling unprotected.

Improving sleep can create a stronger foundation for the rest of the work.

Related reading: What trauma therapy can involve; Grounding during trauma reminders.

If the effects of a difficult experience are disrupting daily life, you can discuss current concerns and treatment preferences in adult individual counseling. View availability on Headway for virtual appointments, insurance information, and cost estimates, or read what to expect when starting therapy.